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Panasonic launches onsite service team for Expo 2020
Team will support B2B customers of its display and AV technology during Expo 2020
Panasonic has established an ‘onsite service taskforce’ to support its B2B customers at mega events in the region.
The taskforce will be focused on supporting customers who are participating in Expo2020.
Panasonic says that the team will draw on the company’s experience in providing audio-visual, displays and projection technology for other large scale events. Panasonic was an Official Ceremony Partner to the Olympic and Paralympic Games Rio 2016, providing projection technologies for the open and closing ceremonies.
At Expo Milano 2015, the company said it supplied over 640 visual systems in over 40 pavilions. Yasuo Yamasaki – Director, System Solutions & Communications Division, PMMAF, said, “As the first ever event of such magnitude to be hosted in the Middle East, Expo 2020 is expected to draw millions of international visitors to Dubai. Forward-thinking innovations and a legacy of technological excellence are the pillars of our expansive range of B2B products and solutions. Not only do we put significant emphasis on product value, but equally important to us as a management focus is delivering excellent customer experience. We are readying our team of Service experts to provide onsite support and service to ensure hassle-free operations throughout the Expo. By offering unrivaled end-to-end solutions, Panasonic creates value that delivers long-term returns for customers.
“We know increasing engagement is the name of the game today. Panasonic is all about creating bespoke experiences and engaging audiences. We put great effort in understanding the individual business requirements of our customers. This awareness – the ability to put the right technology plus optimum support in place – ensures that we provide our customers with the highest levels of service that add real and measurable value,” Yamasaki added.


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NEW HARTFORD – Work is underway at the old Kmart plaza in New Hartford to prepare for a new tenant, At Home.
Crews are currently working on asbestos removal and the owner of the plaza is putting on a new roof.
There is still no date set for when At Home could be moving it. The Kmart store that formerly occupied the space closed this past spring.
While the home décor store will take up a big portion of the plaza, there is still room for another tenant.
- Work underway at former Kmart plaza to prepare for new tenant
- Hard work underway to prepare Utica Zoo for accreditation inspection
- Possible third tenant at 5S Business Park
- NY to probe claims Kushners harassed tenants
- Utica Zoo looks for new concessions tenant
- Construction work underway at Utica Public Library
- Utica apartment complex tenants say crime is rampant; management-absent
- 'DogSpots' installed at 10 Thruway plazas, including in Westmoreland
- NY says radioactive soil removed from Niagara Falls plaza
- New toy store opens in New Hartford Shopping Plaza

domain: news


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New Delhi : Stage is set for the launch of a nationwide goods and services tax, GST, at a function in Central Hall of Parliament at midnight tonight. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unveil the new tax regime replacing more than a dozen state and central levies built up over seven decades, with a one national GST unifying the country’s 2 trillion dollar economy and 1.3 billion people into a common market.
The Finance Minister Arun Jaitley further said that now large number of traders have registered themselves and the GST Network and other official machinery is fully ready for smooth roll-out of GST from 1st July, 2017.He said that he is sure that GST will not have any inflationary impact. He asked the representatives of trade and industry to inform, educate and explain to their distributors, retailers and consumers at large about the positive impact of GST especially on the price front. The representatives of trade and industry on the other hand congratulated the Government for their bold initiative by bringing historical Indirect Tax Reform which will help not only consumers but also boost the prospects of growth of Indian economy. They assured the Government that benefit of price reduction would be passed on the consumers. They also put forward their concerns and asked the Government to issue certain clarifications to remove any doubt or confusion among the traders.
Congress party has however decided to boycott the event apparently to protest against hardship being caused to small and medium enterprises and traders. Left, RJD, SP and TMC are also boycotting the event.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has made a last minute appeal to the opposition to reconsider their decision saying the landmark indirect tax reform was a result of a joint decision and they cannot run away from it now.


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Samsung promises ICS update for Q1 2012, Android community groans
Samsung has promised users of its late model Galaxy devices that they will see an ICS upgrade sometime in Q1 of 2012. Some companies never learn.
Kindle Fire mobile ad impressions are growing at 19 percent a day
Amazon is kindling the fires of advertisers hearts with the brisk sale rates of the Kindle Fire. The device is outpacing the 2010 launch numbers of the iPad when it comes to ad impressions.
Deutsche Telekom unwraps an early Christmas present from AT&T
Deutsche Telekom received an early Christmas present from AT&T that would warm any grinch hearts out there. What's under the tree this year? How does 128 markets of spectrum, years of UMTS roaming, and a bit of cash sound?
AT&T calls off bid for T-Mobile, is Sprint its next suitor?
AT&T has admitted defeat in its quest to take over T-Mobile thanks to Sprint's successful lobbying campaign against the deal. But does Sprint have ulterior motives?
How Google's Nexus tablet can succeed where so many tablets have failed
Eric Schmidt from Google dropped to an Italian newspaper today that Mountainview is going to be releasing a tablet device in six months. Is it going to be the fabled Nexus tablet device we have been hearing whispers about? Will it be an iPad killer?
Travel safe: Data security on the road and off it
Thanks to cybercrime and identity theft, it's very important that you secure your data when traveling. Unfortunately, it is a lot trickier than most people realize to protect your personal information when you use your computer on the road.
HDD Pricewatch: Manufacturers slash warranties, 1TB drive deal
It's time again for a look at HDD prices. Not many changes, but Samsung's 1TB drive is a good deal, while WD and Seagate have slashed warranties.
By Joel Hruska
Why you should sell your iPhone 4 and buy a Galaxy Nexus
I know what you're thinking, iPhone 4 and 4S owners: You already own the best smartphone ever made, so why bother upgrading? Well, get this: At the risk of sounding like a hyperbolic, superlative-abusing idiot, the Galaxy Nexus is even better. That's right: It's bestest.


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Premium article - 30 July 2008
A UK court has enforced an ICC award against Chad, requiring money to be taken from an account holding World Bank loan repayments.
Premium article - 30 June 2008
A Frenchwoman has had an arbitral award against the Ann Summers chain of sex shops reinstated in a dispute about a US franchise agreement.
Premium article - 27 November 2007
The Swedish Supreme Court has set aside an arbitral award because the chairman failed to disclose a possible conflict of interest.


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London - The predictive analytics market just got a little more crowded with the entrance of software startup Sightward, which officially opened for business Wednesday. The 30-person Washington-based outfit, which has spent the past year and a half developing a statistical pattern recognition engine for analyzing customer data, will unveil its first product, for the retail market, in July. Applications focused on financial services and others targeted at telcos and credit collection companies will follow toward the end of the year.
Initially aimed at retailers with the usual multiple channels to market - email, catalogs, call centers, Web storefronts - the software is designed to increase the effectiveness of direct marketing campaigns by analyzing consumer behavior. The NT-based software does this through a patented classification engine that analyzes a typical sample of 200 data points in any data repository, which is stored as a Java applet and updated every time there are changes to the database. Its ability to use a greater number of data models - currently 20 - also gives the product a leg up on rivals Quadstone and SAS, Sightward claims.
Unlike these competitors, however, Sightward is still a nascent company that requires significantly more funding if it is to realize its ambition to be a serious CRM analytic heavyweight. Having raised $7m in funding so far, the company is currently in the process of raising another $10m, which it is confident will happen by early summer.
With 15 customers currently signed up to roll out the software when it goes lives, Sightward's main challenge is attracting OEM partners that facilitate the required integration with an operational software platform - whether it be a marketing platform such as BroadVision, or a call center and sales force automation suite such as Siebel.
"Our competency is in predictive technology, and so we can sell a product at a relatively cheap price [the application costs $125,000 per server]. We didn't want to get into the long and expensive implementation associated with a broader platform infrastructure," Sightward CEO Kevin Klustner told the451.
Currently, all beta customers use SAS's data warehousing platform for the underlying data repository, so there's a good chance that the world's largest private software company will be one of Sightward's first OEM partners. SAS already has predictive analytic capabilities, but they require a statistician to make full use of the functionality. Sightward's offering, naturally, is targeted at the business user.
The company is also in the process of cementing reseller relationships with commerce infrastructure providers, CRM vendors and direct response marketing firms - names are to be released in the coming months.
Sightward is on track to hit $750,000 in revenue this year, and reckons it can hit several million in 2002.


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Square Enix has posted an extraordinary loss of $ 33 million, which he accused of focusing on the new three-room studio Luminous Productions. In addition, sales have declined in all areas, and the studio reports half of the profits it received this time last year – despite the publication of such great titles as Tomb Raider Shadow.
Luminous Productions was created earlier in the year using some of the Final Fantasy XV teams. It was supposed to be responsible for new triple-A games and "other entertainment content," for example, about films, but Square Enix has since been focusing its studies on "high-end, high-quality AAA gaming titles that are best suited [Luminous Productions’] strengths. "
According to a publisher's press release (observed by Gematsu), the company posted an "extraordinary loss of 3,333 million yen," which is about $ 33 million. This is undoubtedly a bitter blow to Square Enix, who has earned a bad year each year for annual profits and the sale of video games.
According to GamesIndustry, net sales fell by 15% year-on-year from 132 billion (US $ 1.17 billion) to 112.2 billion lats ($ 1.08 billion). The profit fell by half, and is lower than 8.64 billion (US $ 76.4 million). Transaction profits further decreased from 61% to 10 billion (US $ 88.5 million), and the decline in regular income was 43.6%.
Net sales in the digital entertainment segment fell by 18.9% to € 82.8 billion ($ 732.5 million), while business profits fell by half to $ 13 billion ($ 115.4 million).
That's all, despite the title, like Tomb Raider Shadow, the Square Enix Big Game in September. Although the publisher declined to say how successful Lara Croft's latest adventure, during 2013, physical sales fell by 70%. There were also a lot of complaints and bombs reviewed when the game was sold at 50% just one month after its release, which could indicate that sales were slower than expected.
At least Square Enix is forecasting EUR 270 billion (USD 2.39 billion) for the entire financial year, up 7.8% over the last financial year, and it would be hopefully ending this rather devastating company in 2018.


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--THE U.S. INTERNATIONAL Trade Commission in Washington voted 5-0 in a preliminary decision that Canadian softwood lumber imports are undercutting U.S. sales and injuring U.S. lumber producers. The ruling could lead to stiff duties on future imports. The case next goes to the Commerce Department, which has until Oct. 16 to make a finding on a dollar amount of damage to U.S. lumber producers from the imports. If the department upholds the ITC findings, the case would go back to the ITC for a final ruling and possible tariffs.
--ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD: Japan`s exports of cars, trucks and buses slipped 0.4 percent in May from a year earlier, to 579,502 vehicles, the first decline in 15 months, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association said in Tokyo. The yen`s sharp rise against the dollar was partly blamed. ..... Ford Motor Co. said it plans to buy 10 percent of Kia Industrial Co. of South Korea, which will produce minicars for Ford dealers in the United States. Ford`s stock purchase is subject to approval by the South Korean government and Kia stockholders.
--AMERITECH HAS BEEN GIVEN permission by a federal judge in Washington to build telephone equipment overseas, the first such authorization since the breakup of AT&T gave all of the Bell System`s manufacturing rights to AT&T. Ameritech is one of seven regional Bell telephone companies spun off from AT&T and serves five Midwestern states. The federal courts must approve any changes in the consent decree that ended an antitrust case against American Telephone & Telegraph Co. and led to the breakup of the company. The judge, Harold H. Green, ordered the new ventures to be separate from the operating companies in the United States and to obtain their own financing. To keep Ameritech concentrating on local telephone service, the order also demanded that no more than 10 percent of all Ameritech`s net revenues come from its new businesses. Ameritech may not offer any phone service between the United States and any other country, but it could provide international service between foreign nations. Ameritech`s phone companies could not buy, sell or use in the United States any of the equipment made by its foreign subsidiary. Other companies would also be prohibited from importing the equipment to the United States.
--BANK HOLDING COMPANIES have been granted the ability to sell, for the first time, a line of new services. The Federal Reserve Board`s decision Wednesday to adopt the new rules was the first expansion in years of the banking regulators` list of non-banking activities that are permissible for bank holding companies. It means that these companies, through non-bank subsidiaries, may charge for services that until now they were barred from providing or could only offer without charge. New services that bank holding companies will be able to offer includes consumer financial counseling, tax planning and preparation, futures and option advisory services, check guaranty services, collection agency and credit bureau services, and personal property appraisals. Bank holding companies also will be able to charge more for underwriting credit life and credit accident and health insurance.
--THE NATION`S BASIC money supply rose $1.6 billion in the week ended June 16, the Federal Reserve Board said. But credit markets shrugged it off, though it was the ninth consecutive weekly gain in the money measure known as M1. The measure rose to a seasonally adjusted average of $668.5 billion in the week from $666.9 billion the previous week. M1 includes cash in circulation, deposits in checking accounts and non-bank travelers checks.
--ELSEWHERE IN THE NATION: In Dallas, the Times Mirror Co. of Los Angeles said it has agreed to sell the Dallas Times Herald for about $110 million in cash and notes to a company headed by Texas newsman William Dean Singleton. He heads Media News Group, of Woodbury, N.J., which publishes 21 newspapers in six states. ..... In Spokane, Wash., Key Tronic Corp. said it was studying a ``sizable reduction`` in its work force because of lagging orders for its computer products. It also said it may consolidate its U.S. manufacturing operations to reduce excess capacity and expected to suffer a fourth-quarter loss because of the plan. ..... An Aug. 25 trial date has been set in Columbus, Ga. for Royal Crown Cola`s suit to prevent the sale of Dr Pepper to Coca Cola Co. A July 16 hearing has been scheduled by the Federal Trade Commission, which separately is trying to block the same deal. ..... In Washington, the Federal Communications Commission has issued rules to bring cellular telephone service to rural areas quickly. Lotteries will be held for five regions nationwide.


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By Emmanuel Elebeke
IN furtherance of its commitment to bring services to the door steps ofÂ its customers, global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, home appliances and mobile communication, Samsung Electronics last week officially opened a new showroom and service centre at Alaba International Market, Lagos.
TheÂ new showroomÂ Â is expected to offer Samsung customers the opportunity to make the right choices on the array of Samsung trendy innovative electronicsÂ products and services before proceeding to make purchases from the accredited dealers.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Executive Director, Samsung Electronics, Mr Intae Son said the opening ofÂ new showroom was premeditated on Samsungâ€™s strategy of being able to anticipate its customers needs and to deliver in its promise of offering customer-centric solutions and offering products that enhance their lifestyles.
â€œthe initiative is aimed at ensuring that Samsung products are readily available to its numerous customers in Nigeria. All Samsung products ranging from its washing machines, microwave ovens, Plasma and LCD television, air conditioners etc no matter how small are backed by a standard One year Pan-African warranty, but to enjoy this warranty customers need to ensure that they buy their products from authorized dealers of Samsung goods.â€ said Son.
He went further to add that the need for the new showroom arose from market surveys carried out by their agencies which identified the need to satisfy the growing customer demand by making sure that they did not have to go far to purchase original Samsung electronics products.
Earlier in his address, Chairman, SIMS Nigeria limited Chief Simeon Eyisi said â€œwe are not here in Alaba market to compete with our customers, but to boost their sales by making it possible for their customers to make satisfactory choice after experiencing product displays in the Showroom. the show is to give our dealers customers an opportunity to feel the quality and see the models and sizes of the products, in addition to enhanceÂ prompt adequate after sales services to the customers â€ he said.
He therefore solicited the support of the customers by reciprocating the gesture byÂ way of patronizing SamsungÂ products from authorized dealers, which he said guarantee long period of longevity.
Meanwhile, audience at the occasion fed their eyes at the new showroom with an array of powerful displays from new species of next generation LED 600 TV series, home theater system (HT-TXQ120), Audio DVD (FP580) among others.
With the introduction of the LED 600 TV, Samsung has revolutionalise the way people look at television, as it combines award-winning design with the most advanced technology available today.
According to Son, the LED 600 series, flat and the slimmestÂ in the world produces sharper images without blur, deeper blacks and brighter colors. It is equally said to be eco friendly and good in energy preservation.
This is an addition to the LCD an Plasma series known for their supreme picture qaulity and rich colours.
Samsung digital display company is the largest flat panel display manufacturer in the world and a leading LCD and plasma TVs.
â€œThe company is pushing a technology boundaries to create a more exciting viewing experience.â€ said the Samsung Executive Director.
Samsung product areas include: televisions and computer monitors, plasma display panels, OLED and others.


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The Friday Five: LogTech is coming in hot with a major golf sponsorship
As Slync.io makes #logtech history as the new title sponsor of Dubai Desert Classic, Halloween looks extra spooky and labor strikes threaten to wreck havoc on the supply chain. Let's get to it.
LogTech couldn't be hotter as Slync.io announces title sponsorship of Dubai Desert Classic [European Tour]
There is no greater sign that illustrates how prominent logistics and logistics technology are right now than this week’s announcement that Dallas-based technology provider Slync.io is the new title sponsor for the Dubai Desert Classic starting in 2022.
Not only has the purse side of the event doubled to $8 million from the previous year, but the European Tour staple is also now part of the prestigious Rolex Series which means the traditional “Desert Swing” will include two back-to-back events in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
“We are excited to partner with the European Tour and Rolex on the Dubai Desert Classic,” explained Chris Kirchner, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Slync.io. “Dubai is one of the great cities and a key player in global logistics. This event will be a great place for us to kick off our year with our customers and enjoy some world-class golf.”
It's a ghoulish season if you are in the Halloween business as supply chain woes continue [FreightWaves]
Seasonal retailers are in for a fright as Halloween is fresh on the heels of back-to-school shopping — which had its own supply chain challenges. Supply shortages caused by congestion and the port closures due to the delta variant of COVID-19 are narrowing an already small window of in-store retail opportunity.
Congestion and heavy anchorage wait times have shifted some marine traffic to Savannah from Long Beach. So Savannah is now seeing an increase in anchorage wait times as well as their volume has increased.
“In Savannah, we saw by week 28, there was an increase of anchorage wait times from null to 1.1 days,” said Capt. Adil Ashiq, MarineTraffic’s executive for the North American West Coast. “In week 29, there were 4.4 days, in week 30 we saw 3.5 days and now null” added Ashiq. “There are approximately 11 vessels headed towards Savannah in the next two weeks, so we may see an increase — but with the turnaround times at dock being roughly 1.1 days, it is unlikely to increase dramatically.”
Fast growing visibility market still experiencing fragmentation despite consolidation from large players [JOC]
Despite multiple consolidations and large rounds of funding among the Gartner Magic Quadrant leaders, the global visibility market continues to expand with new providers jumping into the fray. Investors are open to exploring different approaches and continue to pump new venture funding into the market as seen by the recent funding of Overhaul, Roambee and Vizion.
Eric Johnson, senior technology editor at JOC, discusses what is motivating buyers and how the industry itself can be categorized based on need. “To get a clearer picture, shippers must categorize visibility providers along two sets of spectrums: first, whether the provider is a data generator, consumer, or both; and second, whether the provider relies on hardware-generated data, carrier-conveyed data, or both.”
Labor strikes at Korea’s global shipping giant place additional burden on supply chain [Financial Times]
Sailors and dockworkers voted in favor of a labor strike posing a credible operations threat to Seoul-based HMM. A meeting is planned for Wednesday in hopes to reach an agreement between parties. Analysts have said a strike would lead to further disruption in global tech and auto supply chains and more bottlenecks at ports.
A spokesman for HMM said workers were “demanding the company normalize their pay while the company wants to gradually increase the pay level” while also admitting that wages had not increased in the past eight years. HMM did offer an eight percent increase and a bonus worth six months of salary, but the union refused the offer.
The impact of a strike would have a profound financial impact. HMM estimates “a three-week strike would result in about $580m of operating losses for the company and other shippers with which it has formed alliances.”
Carriers doubling down on ship orders [SupplyChainDive]
Booming bottom lines and a continued lack of capacity have led to carriers doubling their orders for new container ships. Peter Sand, a BIMCO analyst, said that out of the 619 container ships that are now on order for future delivery, 381 have been ordered in 2021. He further went out to say that “never has 3.44m TEU been ordered in such a short time span.”
Although the new vessels will help the strained capacity eventually, it will do little to help the current bottlenecks shippers and logistics service providers are struggling with currently.
If you missed it, check out last week’s logistics news recap which game plan'd peak season for retailers and wholesalers. And be sure to stay tuned every Friday for a roundup of the week's biggest logistics headlines in our weekly blog, The Friday Five.
If you want to learn more about how Logistics Orchestration® by Slync.io can help you navigate the complexities of global logistics, just schedule a consultation!
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Creditors of stricken retailer Focus DIY have backed a rescue plan that should safeguard around 4,500 jobs.
Focus, owned by US private equity group Cerberus, said its creditors, mostly landlords, had approved its proposed Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) by over 90 per cent in a vote.
Meanwhile, the company has said it is trading ahead of its expectations.
Focus, which has been hit hard by a plunge in house purchases and spending on "big ticket" items in the recession, will reduce its exposure to 38 non-trading stores that have been costing the group £12 million a year through the CVA.
While it will remain a tenant of the stores and be responsible for rates on the properties, it will no longer be responsible for rent, service charges and insurance, which will revert to landlords.
In return the landlords, which include British Land, Land Securities and Aviva, will get a share of a £3.7 million compensation pot, worth on average about six months rent.
"Trading is currently ahead of management expectations," chief executive Bill Grimsey said in a statement.
"With this CVA now firmly behind us we can concentrate on managing our existing open stores and building on this stable platform to offer the best service to all our customers, suppliers, employees and landlords."
Focus, which trades from around 180 stores, needed three quarters of its creditors to back the CVA, arranged by BDO Stoy Hayward.
The British Property Federation (BPF), representing landlords, says that Focus’s transparent dealings should be held up as an exemplar for future deals, and was backed by creditors Aviva, British Land, Hammerson, Hermes and Land Securities.
Chief executive Liz Peace said: "As we saw with JJB Sports, the key to a successful CVA is putting all the cards on the table and being up front with all parties.
"Landlords will do everything they can to be flexible, and this is a prime example of how the industry has changed massively in recent years. We still need tougher insolvency controls after the Insolvency Service admitted a third of deals don’t meet its standards.
"We also need an insolvency regime that strikes a fairer balance between the rights of the insolvent and debtors. We will see more and more CVAs and pre-packs in the coming months, so it’s vital that insolvency regulation has enough teeth.
"You cannot blame landlords for the failure of their tenants, but at the same time our members are leading the way in changing the face of the industry. It’s a sad fact that some shops have been hit by the rise of the internet and impact of recession and are not going to return to business levels you will only ever see in a boom."


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Cover blown on auction scammers
"Operation Bidder Beware" has resulted in 57 criminal and civil law enforcement actions in a sweep involving the coordination of the FTC, attorneys general of the participating states and local police agencies, according to the FTC.
Online-auction fraud is the No. 1 type of Internet-related complaint tracked by the FTC in terms of volume, according to the agency. The FTC received about 51,000 complaints regarding online-auction scams in 2002, representing about $37 million in losses, said Howard Beales, director of the FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection. That number likely represents just a fraction of the actual number of rip-offs that occurred, officials said.
Although the vast majority of complaints involve the collection of payments for goods that never materialize, the authorities are seeing a few new twists, Beale said. One involves identity theft by sellers in order to cover their tracks and throw investigations off track. In some cases, scam artists have taken over the accounts of other online sellers. Another problem, said Beales, involves fraudulent escrow services that collect either payments and merchandise or both, ripping off both buyers and sellers.
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German Machinery and Equipment Manufacturers Association (VDMA) trade chief Ulrich Ackermann, taking the presidency of the Central Bank of Naci Agbal, then the Turkish Lira (TL) to work with Turkey, the loss of German companies drew attention to the negative effects. “Fluctuations in the TL are a big problem for exporting companies,” Ackermann said, adding that although they know how their customers will react to changes in exchange rates, moving the exchange rate comfortably will be more beneficial for both investment and exports. .
Ulrich Ackermann, Head of Foreign Trade, VDMA
The German economy is one of the most important customers in the purchase of goods for $ 21 million in 2020 in Turkey with 2020 million. Turkey was ranked 16th among the countries that sold the most goods in Germany last year.
German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) made a statement about the developments in Turkey. Stating that the stabilization of the Turkish economy is also in the interest of the German chemical industry, the Union said, “Politically motivated interventions in monetary policy and the resulting fluctuations in exchange rates are increasingly worrying chemical companies.”
“Currency weakness will become a serious problem”
Thomas Gitzel, chief economist at VP Bank, said: “The president’s decision has seriously damaged confidence in Turkish monetary policy and the independence of monetary policy.” “Turkey’s foreign exchange credit will be crushed under the mountains, we can turn the weakness in the exchange rate into a serious problem,” Gitzel said, adding that the depreciation of the TL will make borrowing more expensive.
BayernLB economist Manuel Schimmer also said that the company has been based on growth patterns of consumption and capital imports in Turkey since 2014. Schimmer, who has worked with loose money and a credit policy decided to boost industrial-economic reforms in the political establishment, said Turkey’s biggest trading partners, the United States and the EU, are facing financial turmoil and controversy. expressed.
Reuters / HS, JD
© Deutsche Welle Turkish


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Unisys Corporation, now on-board with air cargo India 2022 as Silver Partner.
The exhibition will be accompanied by knowledgeable and meaningful conferences on the latest topics concerning the air cargo industry, along with air shipper forums and panel discussions.
Commenting on the partnership between air cargo India and Unisys, Rodney Melton, senior director, industry and client management, Unisys, said, “With more than 55 years of experience providing innovative IT solutions to the travel and transportation industry, Unisys works closely with the air cargo sector. Our new Piece Level Tracking software solution, which we will spotlight at the exhibition, is set to transform tracking high value/small volume cargos and provide airlines’ and freight forwarders’ customers with detailed information at all stages of the journey. Unisys is delighted to support air Cargo India again. We look forward to joining the industry’s visionaries to help plot the path for smarter digital cargo services in the post-pandemic world.”
On the growing role of India in the air cargo industry, Melton said, “India will play a growing role in the ongoing recovery and transformation of the global air cargo industry. The COVID-19 pandemic put the spotlight on India as a critical hub in this sector, particularly in the supply of pharmaceuticals to the world market.”
“This type of cargo requires specialised technology-led services such as containers, thermal blankets and environmental controls, but most critical is the ability to track and ensure the security and safety of items throughout the supply chain journey. Besides this, over the past two years, passenger airlines have exhibited interest in the cargo space in India as they observe rising demands in sectors like e-commerce,” Melton added.
Unisys delivers successful outcomes for the most demanding businesses and governments. Unisys offerings include digital workplace solutions, cloud and infrastructure solutions, enterprise computing solutions, business process solutions and cybersecurity solutions. For more information on how Unisys delivers for its clients across the commercial, financial services and government markets, visit www.unisys.com.
Other partners that have on-boarded with air cargo India are Atlas Air (Key Card Jacket Partner), ATC Aviation (VIP lounge Partner), Bangalore International Airport (Delegate Bag Partner), Etihad Cargo (Registration Desk & Exhibitor Lanyard Partner) & Skyways Group (Opening Plenary track partner).
The 2020 edition of air cargo India witnessed 2700 visitors, 75 exhibitors and 350 delegates, expecting a higher participation in the upcoming edition.


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TOKYO, Jan 22 — The yen was supported while the yuan was on the back foot today as investors tried to assess the risk of the outbreak of a new coronavirus in China disrupting the country’s economy and trade partners.
The virus, which causes a type of pneumonia, has spread to cities including Beijing and Shanghai as the number of patients in China more than tripled. More cases were also reported outside China, including the United States.
Against the yen, the US dollar slipped to 109.86 yen from yesterday’s high of 110.23.
The offshore yuan lost 0.6% yesterday, its biggest fall in more than a month, and last stood at 6.9100 yuan per dollar.
The Australian dollar, often used as a proxy bet on the Chinese economy, fetched US$0.6844, near its lowest levels in 10 weeks.
News of the coronavirus evoked memories of the 2002/03 outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which killed nearly 800 people globally and led to a sharp downturn in tourism in Asia.
“The obvious comparison people are making is with the SARS. While we still don’t know how lethal the new virus will be, my sense at the moment is that markets are not taking it as dire as SARS,” said Kyosuke Suzuki, director of currencies at Societe Generale in Tokyo.
“Back then, virtually every company was banning travel to Hong Kong. We haven’t seen that kind of reaction yet,” he said.
Tohru Sasaki, head of Japan market research at JPMorgan, said that while the SARS outbreak caused massive economic downturn in Hong Kong and Singapore for about eight weeks through a drop in tourism, the pandemic had limited impact on supply chains in Asia.
“If the latest virus reaches a similar magnitude, some economies such as Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia could be negatively affected by a drop in tourism. But its long-term impact on the global economy and the currency market will be limited,” he said.
The euro stood at US$1.1083, after dipping slightly on Monday.
Sterling traded at US$1.3050, having gained a tad yesterday after data showed the British economy created jobs at its strongest rate in nearly a year in the three months to November.
The strong data slightly dented expectations of an interest rate cut by the Bank of England at the end of this month, though markets are still pricing in about a 60% chance of a 0.25 percentage point cut. — Reuters


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Erdogan ordered top officials at his ruling AK Party on Oct. 1 to move to the Passat model after their current rental contracts expire.
The German company said on Wednesday its plant in Emden, which currently builds the VW Passat, would build electric cars from 2022 onwards, while its factory in Hannover would start making them the same year.
The carmaker is preparing to ramp up sales of electric cars as it struggles to make its combustion-engined vehicles comply with more stringent emissions rules introduced in the wake of a diesel-emissions cheating scandal.
In the top 10 auto markets worldwide, used luxury cars sell more than new ones.
The eight generation Passat will come with features like Park Assist, Heads up Display unit and LED headlamps with signature DRLS.
Hybrid vehicles to attract steep GST levies of 43%; to impact plans of Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, others
Hybrid vehicles will attract total levies of 43% under GST (28% tax, 15% cess), more than smaller petrol and even diesel vehicles which would attract levies in the range of 29-31%.
Volkwagen Tiguan SUV and premium sedan Passat will be launched in India within next six months.
Volkswagen Tiguan and Volkswagen Passat will be launched in India within next 6 months and will be locally assembled at the company's facility in Aurangabad. Tiguan SUV will be the first product to be launched.
Volkswagen Tiguan SUV, Volkswagen Passat and limited edition of Volkswagen GTI set to be launched in 2017
At Auto Expo 2016, car manufacturers have displayed cars which promise to be friendly towards the environment.
From two-wheelers to passenger cars to buses, companies across segments are displaying electric and hybrid vehicles.


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SSL can broadly be considered a good thing. Any transaction involving financial information, such as online banking or e-commerce, typically uses SSL to keep your information private. In recent years there has been a drive to secure all internet traffic with SSL, not just traffic containing private/sensitive information, such as username/password combinations or financial data, but general traffic as well. Major worldwide news stories in recent years, such as the Edward Snowden global mass surveillance revelations, mean more users are demanding encryption online. This rings true even in areas traditionally considered less important and the providers are more than happy to oblige.
The end result is an increased use of SSL; most of the world’s most popular websites such as Google, Amazon and Facebook now have HTTPS switched on by default for all traffic. It’s estimated that today, over half the world’s internet traffic is encrypted.


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By: Rob Harris
Today’s good news is for those who own stock in the companies that manufacture Titleist, Callaway, Cleveland, Srixon, Ping or TaylorMade clubs and accessories. Today’s bad news is for those who planned on buying such equipment online at a price that seemed too good to be true.
A United States District Court has granted a preliminary injunction shutting down over 175 websites operated by 132 defendants, for selling counterfeit golf products. The injunction follows on the heels of a temporary restraining order previously issued by the court.
This is the latest in an ongoing effort by an organization called the U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group to stop the sale of counterfeit products. For those unsure about the genuineness of the products they seek to purchase, the Working Group offers guidelines to help identify counterfeit products.
For those who recently purchased products on line, a list of the defendants can be found here (Schedule A).


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The government is seeking companies to develop batteries for electric vehicles (EVs).
Innovate UK and the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEVs) are providing up to £10 million to help a consortium develop a pilot line for the technology that could later be scaled up for commercial production.
The consortium should include a research organisation, at least two vehicle manufacturers, at least one industrial supply chain partner and at least one SME.
Small businesses could receive up to 70% of their eligible costs, medium-sized businesses up to 60% and large businesses up to 50%.
Total project costs are expected to range from £15 million to £20 million and last 12 to 18 months.
The global market for EV batteries is estimated to be around $25 billion (£16.8bn) by the end of the decade.
The competition opens on 20th April 2015.


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Is RadioShack an attractive target for private equity?
Not so much, at least according to one analyst who was not mincing words about the American electronics retailer.
Michael Pachter, an analyst at Wedbush Morgan Securities, said he had never considered RadioShack, which posted a surprising drop in its quarterly gross margin on Monday,an attractive buyout candidate because of its high valuation and dim growth prospects for its core business.
“A private equity firm that buys them is a fool,” he told Reuters.
RadioShack said on Monday that the drop in gross margin was due to weakness in its electronics accessory business and more demand for lower margin mobile handsets, and its shares fell nearly 8 percent.
The U.S. electronics retailer also said its margin would remain under pressure as it worked to improve its assortment in the accessories section and invested in wireless kiosks inside Target stores.
RadioShack shares, which had risen about 47 percent in the last year as the company looked at putting itself up for sale, were down 7.8 percent on Monday, at $21.02.
The company, which has a market value of about $2.7 billion, has drawn interest from several buyout firms including the Blackstone Group, TPG Capital, Bain Capital and Advent International, but no deal has been reached
“The only part of their business that is growing is wireless, which is a wonderful thing as long as there is no competition,” Mr. Pachter said, adding, however, that “Best Buy has made it very clear they want to own this category.”
A previous version of this article misspelled the last name of Michael Pachter, an analyst at Wedbush Morgan Securities, as Patcher.


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While the governments of different countries complain about the economic losses associated with the pandemic, it turned out that some sectors of the economy have only benefited from the current situation in the world.
Global e-commerce giant Amazon has emerged as the clear champion thanks to the increased demand for cloud services. Consumers simply had to turn to the Internet amid store closings and travel restrictions. As a result, the company’s turnover grew by a record 40%, bringing it close to $ 387 billion.
Food distribution companies did not lose either – the shares of Just Eat Takeaway, an Anglo-Dutch group, jumped 54% to 2.4 billion euros. Its British competitor Deliveroo was equally successful, increasing its trading volume on the platform by 64% to 4.1 billion pounds.
Household goods remained in demand amid the raging pandemic, and even more so – sales of household appliances in France increased by 11.2%, including only food processors – by 27.5%.
What can we say about the field of online entertainment. Forced to stay at home, people plunged headlong into the world of virtual pleasures and watching TV series distracting from the dark reality.
The Danish manufacturing company Lego boosted sales of its plastic bricks by 13%, generating a 2020 profit of 1.3 billion euros (+ 19%).
Video game makers Sony and Microsoft also flourished, with the Japanese company increasing sales 40% year over year in just the past 3 months. American Activision (“Call of Duty”) topped estimates in the last quarter, while French Ubisoft is expecting a record high for the year 2020/2021 ending at the end of March.
Is it possible to expect a decrease in the passion for TV shows among quarantined people? Netflix has pioneered over 200 million users, and launched in late 2019, Disney + boasts 95 million subscribers worldwide by early this year.
But not everyone was so lucky in the past year. Designed to soar in the skies, air transport is stuck on the ground due to unprecedented restrictive measures: Air France suffered a shock due to losses of 7.1 billion euros, only slightly overtaking German rival Lufthansa (6.7 billion) and the British group IAG , parent company of British Airways (6.9 billion).
Revenues for even the lowest-cost companies like EasyJet fell 88% in the first quarter of the fiscal year (October-December). According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), companies lost $ 510 billion last year and financial losses reached $ 118 billion.
The oil giants are not in the best position as global activity has suspended oil demand and they ended 2020 with huge losses. The five largest – BP, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Shell and Total – reported a cumulative net loss of $ 77 billion last year, of which more than $ 20 billion was for BP alone.


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One of our sister magazines, MI Pro (for the music instrument industry – not an area we imagine that many Develop readers watch that much) reports that the innovative new instrument devised by Electroplankton creator Toshio Iwai has been nominated for an award.
The Tenori-on matrix performance controller, designed by Iwai in collaboration with Yamaha, has been nominated for the new Brit Insurance Designs of the Year exhibition and awards in the Product Design category, alongside such household names as Apple’s iPhone and Nintento’s Wii games system.
This new annual exhibition and awards scheme celebrates the most innovative and progressive international designs and is nominated by a team of respected design experts including Nick Knight, Philipp Rode and Wayne Hemmingway. The inaugural Brit Insurance Designs of the Year exhibition at the Design Museum runs from February 13th until April 27th 2008.
MI Pro explains: Tenori-on was the result of a five year partnership between Yamaha and Iwai that resulted in a completely new concept in portable music-making and performance art. The instrument functions through a 16-by-16 LED button matrix controller, with which the user interacts with the LED buttons and the light they produce to gain access to numerous performance capabilities that merge digital music performance technology and an exciting visual experience.


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Force India's Otmar Szafnauer believes the "rushed" decision by the FIA to introduce Halo could jeopardise their plans for 2018.
The Halo cockpit safety device has divided opinion, mainly because of aesthetics, but it is also set to seriously impact the development of new cars for the 2018 season.
"It may delay next year’s car," Szafnauer told Motorsport.com.
"There is a finite amount of time that it takes to design and make a monocoque, and if we don’t get definition in that timeframe, all it does is it delays when it’s produced.
"Right now, it looks like we may not be able to produce it in time for testing."
Szafnauer revealed that a lot of time has already been dedicated to implementing a design that would not be in breach of the rules.
He added: "I remember designing and trying to make a rollhoop that actually passed the test criteria. It took forever. We eventually did it, but the amount of times we failed and redesigned.
"The nice thing with the rollhoop was you could just cut it off and put another one on that, so the whole monocoque wouldn’t have to be redesigned.
"If this test criteria is so high that the Halo fails, and it fails the monocoque, we’re screwed."
Szafnauer concluded that it would have been more beneficial had Halo been introduced ahead of the 2019 season as opposed to next year.
"It would have been nice to have had another year to do it properly. It is what it is," said Szafnauer.
"The only way to stop it is if the FIA stops it and says we’re going to do it in a year’s time. It’s safer to do it properly than to rush it, that’s the only way I can see stopping it."


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“Always adhered to safety regulations” – Ferrari to stop using U-Mask after Italy bans it
|Published April 03, 2021
“Always adhered to safety regulations” – The Ferrari F1 team will stop using the U-Mask and switch to a different brand from Imola Grand Prix after the Italian government confirmed the ban on it.
The SportsRush had earlier reported the ban on the U-Mask by the Italian Health Ministry. The Italian company has since announced that it will appeal against the decision, as its products are removed from the medical device database.
On 27th March, the ban was announced via a press conference and the Ferrari F1 team was given 5 days time to withdraw it. “They do not provide scientific evidence on the ability to maintain filter performance for up to 200 hours of use.”
The “Striscia la Notizia” campaign and tests also showed poor filtering results. It is an Italian satirical television program founded in 1988. Meant to be a parody of the daily news, Striscia la Notizia also satirizes government corruption and exposes scams. All this with the help of local reporters who are also comedians working with them.
This essentially meant Ferrari could continue using the masks during the Bahrain Grand Prix but will not have to switch to a different brand from their home race in Imola later this month. As per reports, the Maranello-based outfit has already finalized deal(s) for the aforementioned.
Loading embed tweet https://twitter.com/Charles_Leclerc/status/1314262018778714112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The certification for the masks was signed by someone without the requisite degree or authorization to do it. This compelled the Bolzano Public Prosecutor’s Office to launch an official investigation. A second case has been opened in Milan against the Director of the company.
Meanwhile, out of over 8000 tests conducted in Bahrain, twelve were found positive, including some Aston Martin members. Bahrain offered Pfizer vaccines to all the teams and F1 staff, as they now travel to Italy for the Imola Grand Prix.
Also read: “We’ve had to re-size”– Red Bull and Mercedes reveal their cost-cutting measures in 2021
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The Pokemon Company has announced a special bonus in Pokemon Legends Arceus for players who own Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
Players who have save data for Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl will be able to receive a Darkrai in Pokemon Legends Arceus by completing a special mission, as well as a special outfit based on the modern day Team Galactic.
Pokemon Legends Arceus launches on January 28th 2022 for Switch.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments.


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Digital economies of the future need next-generation payments infrastructure
SMEs’ growth has been stifled by the absence of well-suited financial services and products tailored to their specific needs
The emergence of ever more innovative and entrepreneurial thinking has kept us hopeful in recent months as we navigate unprecedented economic challenges. Despite the turbulent economy, home-based businesses such as bakeries, hairdressers and grocery delivery start-ups have taken off, allowing entrepreneurs and small business owners to survive and even thrive under the limiting circumstances.
This is great news for a country such as SA. Our small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) are the lifeblood of our economy. There is much supporting evidence for this. Our research shows SA’s informal economy, comprising spaza shops, house shops, shebeens, hair salons and takeaways, among many others, contributes 20%-30% of GDP.
Yet statistics show SMEs are the first to shut their doors when faced with hardships and devastating pressures such as the Covid-19 pandemic. In July, a McKinsey report entitled “How SA SMEs can survive and thrive post Covid-19" predicted that about 60% of SMEs will close before the crisis is over.
Yet SMEs are vital; they are the drivers required to shift the economic environment to a state of recovery and stimulate economic inclusivity. Ironically, their growth — or the potential for it — has been stifled by the absence of well-suited financial services and products tailored to their specific needs. Many small business owners simply cannot afford to go digital for their banking and payments because of the high costs involved, leaving them to default to cash and often putting their personal safety and businesses at risk.
Despite the headway made in financial services and payments SA is still a largely cash-driven economy. This is most evident among small businesses, which use notes and coins as their preferred exchange of value. With cash there’s convenience but no promise of security from a personal and counterfeit perspective. Then there’s the long-term risk of not being in a position to grow the business and build personal wealth. Without a credit history or formal banking records entrepreneurs are often unable to access the capital needed to entrench themselves in the marketplace. They’re also incapable of safeguarding their businesses from risks without access to additional financial services such as insurance.
There are limitations to card payments. Card transactions are only available for the fully banked portion of our population and require, in most cases, expensive and quite sophisticated infrastructure on the merchant’s side. Card payments attract notable fees, don’t allow easy interoperability with other payment channels, and there are often delays before business owners get their money.
These are just a few of the examples of the payments challenges out there. But we’re tackling these together, as an industry, to introduce a faster and more immediate way of transacting. The wide use of smartphones presents a window of opportunity to leapfrog technologies while responding to the need on the ground.
Digital economies of the future require next generation payments infrastructure. The digital consumer of the future will want the best of two worlds: digital convenience, reliability and safety they can trust. As a country, we cannot afford to leave anyone behind on this journey.
In 2018 we began an industry-wide payments initiative called Rapid Payments Programme with the Payments Association of SA, SA banks and the broader industry, to establish a new digital way to pay. This will be real-time, data-rich and with the capability to make rapid payments by simply using mobile phones. This new way of paying allows entrepreneurs — with or without bank accounts — and digitally savvy South Africans to make a payment as quickly as sending a text message. This simplified experience is bound to benefit the spaza shop owner and unlock opportunities never thought possible.
This Global Entrepreneurship Week, which ran from November 16 to 22, was an opportunity to recognise the hardship and barriers SMEs have had to endure and overcome. Through our industry payments initiative we hope to create an environment that makes it easier for them to do business and frees up their time to focus on continuously innovating, giving the market their best and creating a better life for themselves and their families. As SA and Africa’s leading payments provider this is how we see ourselves contributing to the country and local economy.
• Pilbauer is CEO of BankservAfrica.
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I just wrote a letter to the editor of the Malta Times, pillorying Fiona Galea Debono for some dodgy reporting. She wrote a profile of Maltese singer Ira Losco (she covers The Cure’s “Love Song” on her MySpace page), and introduced the subject of music piracy:
The DVD will be available from leading record stores and off her website… but, sadly, probably also from the marketplace at a fraction of the price.
Indeed, piracy is a scourge that even Ira has to contend with; it is destroying the industry and makes her blood boil.
Ira sells well and not enough fake CDs are printed to hurt her, so she need not devise a strategy to counteract piracy – in the same vein as international stars, who are basing their earnings on live performances. But it is still an irritating issue.
Do you get the feeling that Sony set up this interview, and told Ms. Debono (and/or Ms. Losco) to dedicate a few column inches to the piracy issue? Here’s my letter:
Ms. Debono’s profile of Ira Losco read like a thinly-veiled propaganda piece for the record industry. Despite music piracy not impacting Ms. Losco, Ms. Debono introduces the subject into her article and claims–without citing any evidence–that it’s “destroying the [music] industry”.
This simply isn’t true, and it’s lazy, shoddy journalism to claim otherwise. There are many reasons for the downturn of the music industry–declining radio listenership, free music via the web (YouTube and such), diverging audience tastes, the missed opportunity of legal file sharing, rising video game and DVD sales and so forth.
Besides, a recent independent study comissioned by Industry Canada indicated that file-sharing doesn’t put downward pressure on purchasing music. In fact, fans who download music tend to buy more.
According to Simon Wright, CEO of Virgin Entertainment Group in Rolling Stone magazine, “The record companies have created this situation themselves.”
Here’s a lesson for Ms. Debono: I’ve just built an argument based on considered supporting evidence. Perhaps she’ll try this approach the next time she wants to trot out hollow, deceptive claims
Every time a journalist (or a blogger or whoever) mindlessly parrots a corporate party line, it lessens the profession.


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The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV has been teased once more ahead of its official debut on April 19. This time, we get a glimpse of the crossover’s upright silhouette, giving it a more conventional look. Its front end appears to be shorter than your typical large luxury utility vehicle, likely due to it having a massive greenhouse and short overhangs.
Following the EQS and EQE sedans, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV is the third model on the company’s EVA2 architecture, which was developed specifically for battery-electric vehicles. Mercedes says the EQS SUV will seat up to seven passengers and promises to blend the supreme comforts of its sedan sibling with SUV versatility. It will be available with the MBUX Hyperscreen, which features three displays under one glass panel totaling 56 inches’ worth of screen real estate. This latest version will also allow the passenger display to stream media but it will darken if the car detects the driver turning their head and watching what’s playing. A rear-seat entertainment system will also be available.
The EQS SUV’s interior will be offered in seven color combinations aimed at enhancing the airy ambience of the cabin. A new type of wood trim that blends Magnolia Wood and stainless steel is also making its debut in Mercedes’ large electric SUV. It features holes shaped like the three-pointed star cut into the wood and they are then pressed with steel sheets to create a glimmering effect.
Other new features that will debut in the EQS SUV include a Dolby Atmos sound system with expanded customizability and an upgraded version of the Energizing Air Control, dubbed Energizing Air Control Plus. The latter cleans the cabin air by removing fine particles, pollen, and other contaminants via a HEPA filter with active carbon for optimum filtration. Mercedes is also introducing a new fragrance it calls No. 6 Mood mimosa alongside the EQS SUV.
Mercedes says will get its 4Matic AWD system on the EQS SUV, which likely hints that it will come standard with a dual-motor setup. There’s also an Off-Road drive mode if you’re looking to take your big luxurious electric crossover on a trail or gravel road. The EQS SUV will likely get slightly more power for its entry-level model because of its AWD system. Expect the EQS 580 to carry over with 516hp and 631 lb-ft of torque on the more practical crossover. Battery sizes haven’t been announced yet but it’s likely the same 107.8-kWh unit from the sedan. However, the driving range should be lower due to the EQS SUV not being as aerodynamic as its low-slung sibling.
Following the standard models, an AMG variant shouldn’t be far behind, marking the first time Mercedes’ performance arm builds an all-electric, high-performance SUV. Like the AMG EQS sedan, its two electric motors could make up to 751 hp and 752 lb-ft in launch control and/or boost mode. An ultra-luxurious Maybach version is inevitable since the EQS SUV was previewed at the 2021 Munich auto show in this form complete with a two-tone exterior scheme and monoblocs wheels.
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV will be the first all-electric model produced at the brand’s Tuscaloosa, Alabama facility. It will also build the smaller EQE SUV, which will be the final member of Mercedes’ EQ lineup of BEVs.


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When I heard last night that Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum were set to reopen on Monday, June 8 — in a couple of weeks — I thought it seemed like a disaster waiting to happen… but it’s not like they were alone. Kentucky’s governor said that museums and libraries and other attractions could all open back up on that date (with guidelines to come later) while some retail stores and restaurants would open this week.
So Creationist Ken Ham wasn’t doing anything unusual. Then again, he announced the re-opening by suggesting it was the only way for people to hear God’s Word:
For the past few weeks these facilities have been quiet with no sound of adults, teens, or kids excitedly learning about God’s Word. These world-class exhibits that proclaim the truth of God’s Word and the gospel have been quiet. We have been commanded to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation”… We can’t remain silent.
It should go without saying that virus doesn’t care about your “silence.” And it’s not like these Creationists haven’t had other ways to spread their misinformation. (After all, they just launched a streaming service.)
But here’s something more concerning: If you visit the Ark’s website, there’s a page that describes safety precautions they’re taking in the wake of the pandemic. All staffers, we’re told, will wear masks. Many will wear gloves.
Then there are the recommendations for visitors…
… Kentucky guidelines recommend that we strongly encourage our guests to wear a face covering for their mouth and nose when appropriate unless under age 2 or for medical reasons as per CDC guidance.
That’s good advice!
It’s too bad they’re not going to follow it.
Today, Ham said in a video that wearing masks would be completely optional for visitors, and that everyone should “respect” strangers who choose not to wear one.
… we’re just telling you what the state wants us to tell you, and that is, it’s highly recommended that you wear masks, but it’s not required, okay? And our guest services aren’t going to tell you you have to wear masks when you come. That’s your decision, for what you do, and we hope that those that don’t wear them and those that do wear them will respect each other, because that’s where it’s at…
Someone’s asking, “Do we need to wear masks?” It’s not a requirement, no. Read up on what we say. The state is asking us to recommend masks, so we’re being obedient to what the state is asking, but it’s not a requirement. You won’t be asked to wear a mask. So there will be those that will and those that won’t, and they need to respect each other, too. But again, we’ll be doing social distancing…
So the state is saying masks are important, and Ken Ham is parroting that line because he has to, while not-so-subtly insisting that you don’t have to wear one. If you have COVID, you are free to visit the Ark and spread it far and wide — employees and other visitors be damned.
This isn’t about “respect.” It’s about understanding the seriousness of this virus. It’s not surprising that people who dedicate their lives to rejecting science are rejecting science, but it’s completely irresponsible that Ham would brag about putting people back to work when he’s also putting them in harm’s way by not even requiring the most basic of safety precautions.
Many grocery stores won’t allow you to come inside unless you’re wearing a mask. But in a couple of weeks, Creationists are going to open their monuments to misinformation to the very people most likely to spread the virus because they’re too selfish to wear protective equipment. And Ham would rather take their money than do the bare minimum to take care of his employees and other visitors because, as he says in the video, they’re struggling financially.


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Hyundai and Electrify America bring complimentary charging to 2021 Kona and Ioniq owners
Electric vehicles are seeing a nationwide boom and part of the credit goes to the ever-expanding EV charging network being set up throughout the country. Hyundai recognizes the EV potential, and it has teamed up with Electrify America to provide complimentary charging to specific Hyundai models.
The owners of 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric and 2021 Hyundai Ioniq Electric will get complimentary charging of 250 kWh, which the EPA estimates to be 1000 miles of driving range in these cars.
Electrify America is rapidly expanding the EV charging infrastructure with 500 charging stations already built all over the country. The company claims that 96 percent of the population is already living within 120 miles of one of the 2,400 fast chargers, and the company plans to reach the goal of 3,500 chargers by the end of 2021. Electrify America is the top-rated fast-charging network in the “Best-in-Test” award published by umlaut Inc.
The partnership between Hyundai and Electrify America spells good news for the EV industry and the car owners. If you haven’t gotten a Kona or Ioniq already, now might be a good time to buy one.
2021 Hyundai Kona Electric
The 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric retains the sleek look of Kona and adds an electric heart to it. It features an electric motor with 201 horsepower and a 291 lb-ft. of torque. It comes with a 64 kWh battery pack, and using a 100 kW DC fast charger, the battery can reach 80% in just under an hour.
The Kona Electric comes with a standard set of safety features and an infotainment touchscreen up to 10.3 inches.
2021 Hyundai Ioniq Electric
The 2021 Hyundai Ioniq Electric is more of a bang for the buck subcompact SUV. It features a 134 horsepower electric motor and a 38.3 kWh battery pack. Like the Kona, the battery can reach 80% in just under an hour while using a 100 kW DC fast charger.
The interiors are built with eco-friendly materials, and it goes well with the sustainable footprint of the car.
If you’re near Huntington, NY, and want to buy a 2021 Hyundai EV, you’ll need a quality Hyundai dealership near you. Huntington Hyundai fits the bill perfectly as we have 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric and 2021 Hyundai Ioniq Electric for sale. You can browse through our inventory and take advantage of new car finance specials. To get 2021 Hyundai electric cars, get in touch with Huntington Hyundai today.


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UK firms sign deals worth US$565m at CIIE
UK firms secured deals valued 430 million pounds (US$565.1 million) with Chinese companies during the third China International Import Expo, the British Embassy Beijing said in a statement on Monday.
It said the event had also resulted in thousands of new connections between UK and Chinese companies, with 120,000 unique visitors to a new UK-China business matching platform.
“The UK is proud to have worked with the CIIE Bureau and China’s Ministry of Commerce to participate in the third China International Import Expo — showcasing the dynamic and diverse excellence of British brands in the agriculture, food and drink sector,” the statement said.
The deals include a collaboration between Lakeland Dairies and Namchow Food Group (Shanghai) Co on dairy products from Northern Ireland to China; a partnership between Savills and Greenland Group Xi’an Fenghe Real Estate Co on the Silk Road International Center Project luxury commercial and office complex and an additional partnership between Savills and the Yangpu government on innovation and transformation of the Shanghai district. They also include a partnership between Millennium Group and Suning International Sup’s, bringing a range of British food and drinks to the Chinese market.


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Ssangyong Brings Refreshed Version 2020 of the Tivoli, Now Diesel-Powered
The local arm of Korean car brand Ssangyong recently brought the refreshed version of their subcompact crossover Tivoli.
But apart from bearing some minor details on the aesthetics, it will definitely make a lot of waves in Philippine soil. Why? This is the sole subcompact SUV in the country that runs on diesel.
The 2020 Ssangyong Tivoli has an updated e-XDi160 Diesel engine, boasts 324 Nm of torque (which is quite an increase from its predecessors) and 134 horsepower ouput. This engine is mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox.
To put light on the comparison given, the previous version, which wears a XLV (petrol-propelled) engine had 300 Nm torque and a 111 horsepower delivery.
SsangYong Berjaya Motor Philippines President Japheth Castillo noted that there is more than just the powertrain package, it also gives.
“It’s also got cleaner emissions and excellent fuel economy, " Castillo said.
With regards to looks, the 2020 Ssangyong Tivoli has a redesigned exterior to match.
The bottom part of the front bumper now has larger air intake gives more breather to vehicle, which makes the latest engine design complements the facelift design.
The redesigned headlights is said to improve visibility in various conditions.
“With this new product, the market can now enjoy diesel power in the subcompact SUV segment,” Castillo noted.
One of the main considerations of the local market would be pricing. If the price is too prohibitive for the vehicle, no matter what the package is, it would be too darn good.
But not with the 2020 SsangYong Tivoli.
With the price tag that starts at P1.18 million for the Diesel Sport and Diesel Premium for 1.29 million, it also comes with three years free service (oil, parts, and labor), along with a 5-year or 100,000km warranty, whichever comes first--just like any brand new SsangYong vehicle.
For more information on the new SsangYong Tivoli, go to www.ssangyong.ph, or visit SsangYong Sta. Rosa and Otis, Manila.


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Yahoo will be offering five-minute video clips containing highlights of Barclays Premier League football matches from next season, after securing an exclusive deal.
TVs - News
Panasonic has finally announced more details as to what it has in store for the world of 3D TV, both in the U.S. and in global markets.
Channel Nine will be the first Australian network to broadcast 3D video footage. The State of Origin series of rugby league matches will be the first 3D sporting footage broadcast by any free-to-air television station worldwide.
The PlayStation may have Major League Baseball, but the Xbox 360 could soon land its very own television channel, reports Bloomberg. No, not something agnostic like G4TV or another option in local cable packages, but something exclusive to the Xbox 3...
Panasonic yesterday launched its 2010 home entertainment line-up in Melbourne. Australian Managing Director, Steve Rust, opened the event by discussing the company's aims for the year ahead.
Panasonic has announced the availability and pricing of its Full HD 3D plasma televisions and accessories. The company's 50in plasma panel will go on sale in June, with larger models to follow in October and November, Panasonic revealed at its 2010 h...
Panasonic has announced plans to increase its production of their 3D HDTV sets, due to higher-than-expected demand.
Panasonic has announced the upcoming release of its 2010 LCD and plasma televisions, with new edge-lit LED televisions also available soon. 3D TV pricing was also announced, with a 50in Full HD 3D plasma television available in June for $3299.
Ericsson has partnered with international sports network EPSN, providing the broadcaster with technology that will allow its new ESPN 3D network to deliver 3D transmissions of live sporting events.
Australian Internet service provider iiNet yesterday announced a partnership with FetchTV to deliver digital TV over broadband.
Sony is giving visitors to Sydney's World Square the opportunity to test out Sony BRAVIA 3D TV sets before their release in July.
ABC's iView online video on demand service will be accessible on Sony's Internet-connected BRAVIA televisions and Blu-ray players from mid-May.
NineMSN has launched an online video on demand service dubbed FixPlay. The site features content from Channel 9 and the Nine Network's digital Go! channel, as well as from Warner Bros and the BBC.
Australian retailers will begin selling Samsung's 3D LED televisions from April 19, with 3D plasma televisions available from the start of May.
Samsung's 2010 range of LED, LCD and plasma televisions will feature integrated Skype, YouTube and Twitter access, and offer DLNA media streaming from a PC, mobile phone or supported digital camera. Samsung also revealed that its televisions should s...
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The HP OfficeJet 250 Mobile Printer is a great device that fits perfectly into my fast paced and mobile lifestyle. My first impression of the printer itself was how incredibly compact and sleek the device was.
Wireless printing from my iPhone was also a handy feature, the whole experience was quick and seamless with no setup requirements - accessed through the default iOS printing menu options.
A smarter way to print for busy small business owners, combining speedy printing with scanning and copying, making it easier to produce high quality documents and images at a touch of a button.
I've had a multifunction printer in the office going on 10 years now. It was a neat bit of kit back in the day -- print, copy, scan, fax -- when printing over WiFi felt a bit like magic. It’s seen better days though and an upgrade’s well overdue. This HP OfficeJet Pro 8730 looks like it ticks all the same boxes: print, copy, scan, and fax. (Really? Does anyone fax anything any more? I guess it's good to know the facility’s there, just in case.) Printing over WiFi is more-or- less standard these days.
As a freelance writer who is always on the go, I like my technology to be both efficient and effective so I can do my job well. The HP OfficeJet Pro 8730 Inkjet Printer ticks all the boxes in terms of form factor, performance and user interface.
I’d happily recommend this touchscreen laptop and Windows 10 as a great way to get serious work done at a desk or on the road.
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2019.10.14 / 아카데미 뉴스
We held a 41st Regular Class graduation that started this summer.
The students showed off their dancing and walking skills that they’ve learned for 3 months, including a short fashion show.
The audition to become a contract model at YG KPLUS held the same day with the graduation, so the students have to put out their best!
Let’s look at how 41st Regular Class students did for their graduation.
Today’s hosts were our graduate models Lee Chae Won & Jung Jae Hyun.
They showed the fantastic chemistry!
They showed their walking after the dancing stage.
Despite being nervous, they showed their best.
After the presenting their walking, the next stage was a mini fashion show.
The concept of today’s mini fashion show was a “Preppy Look.”
The students showed their passion by selecting the autumn styled clothing for the show themselves.
YG KPLUS CEO Ko Eun Kyung also attended the class graduation.
She gave many great advices to our potential models!
3 months has gone so fast.
These 41st students were really sincere and hardworking during the class!
Please look forward to see who are going to be the next rookie YG KPLUS model from these graduate students.


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Pakistan’s state-owned shipping enterprise is planning to add two container vessels to its fleet to facilitate foreign trade at a time.
When the coronavirus pandemic has had a negative impact on global maritime activities, officials said on Thursday. Founded in 1971, the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) currently operates six tankers and five bulk carriers which transport dry consignments and liquid cargoes globally. Pakistani exporters have also complained about the international logistics crisis which has disrupted the global supply chain due to a shortage of containers, as the situation has significantly increased freight costs around the world.
“We are working to increase the fleet strength by adding two container ships,” Captain Anwar Shah, acting chairman and member of the PNSC board of directors, told Arab News. “The purchase of ships will be done through tendering process under the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority rules. It may take some time, but it will be done.”
Shah did not give an exact timeframe for the induction of container ships, saying it depended on the procurement process.
Pakistani exporters have sought the government’s intervention under the present circumstances, saying that shipping lines have increased their freight costs by over 1500 percent.
“The container we got for $80 about a year ago is now available for $1300 for shipments to China,” Muhammad Anwar Mianoor, senior vice chairman of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan, said.
“Shipping lines are taking out empty containers from Pakistan and sending them to Bangladesh and India despite the presence of cargo in Pakistan,” he continued, adding: “The government must step in to control the situation by taking appropriate policy measures.”
Last week, Mahmood Moulvi, special assistant to prime minister on maritime affairs, announced to launch container shipping services to mitigate the impact of the global supply chain crisis after meeting with rice exporters. “We want the PNSC to step forward and start the service by boosting its fleet,” he said.
Experts said, however, the purchase of container vessels would not be the right move at this point due to their escalating prices.
“Container ships are extremely expensive at the moment due to their dearth,” MA Rajpar, former chairman of the Pakistan Ship’s Agents Association. “The estimated cost of a container ship is somewhere between $10 million to $300 million depending on the age and capacity of the vessel,” he said. “Operating these ships is also a complicated thing requiring a lot of skill.”
Experts said with no immediate solution in sight, the global supply chain was still reeling under the impact of lockdowns imposed by countries after the coronavirus outbreak in 2019.
“The pressure on global supply chain has relaxed only about two to four percent and there is no immediate solution to the problem,” Rajpar said. “The situation is expected to take at least one to two years to normalize.”
Shipping expert anticipate the global supply chain glitches to continue in the next year as well.
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Birmingham resident Katie Romant started her online subscription-based company, TinkerTots Boxes, in September 2019, about six months before the coronavirus pandemic hit.
TinkerTots Boxes, which includes educational and fun activities for toddlers and parents, brought in $13,000 in revenue in 2019. Romant, who left an 11-year career as an executive recruiter to start the company, believed the business could be a hit.
The pandemic led Romant, who with her husband started TinkerTots with $20,000, to question her belief in the brand.
"We were terrified," said Romant, a mother of two. "No one knew what (the pandemic) would bring. I was scared for my own family."
The pandemic changed a lot of people's shopping habits. That led to a dramatic rise in e-commerce sales, from which Romant has benefited.
TinkerTots Boxes in 2020 brought in nearly $70,000 in revenue, according to Romant.
"We saw a huge uptick throughout (the pandemic)," said Romant, who projects her business to bring in close to $100,000 in 2021. "Once we kind of got through March, April, May, we adjusted a bit. We were able to see we'd make it through. The interesting part is we saw so many people desperate to connect with family and friends. Gifting increased so much. We had grandparents sending boxes across the country as a way to help their kids and grandkids. We were terrified it would tank. Almost the exact opposite happened."
That happened across the board, according to Paul Chambers, co-founder and CEO of the Troy-based Subscription Trade Association.
SUBTA last week released a special report that analyzed the impact of the coronavirus crisis on the direct-to-consumer subscription industry throughout 2020, compiling data from sources including Zuora, Digital Media Solutions, ReCharge and Deloitte.
Research found that e-commerce generated more than $790 billion in sales in 2020, which represents a 32 percent increase from 2019. That number, the report states, was not predicted to be reached until 2022. The subscription industry saw an 84 percent increase in subscribers last year, according to the report, with 15 million consumers becoming paid subscribers to nearly 100 million new subscription services between February 2020 and July 2020. Nearly half of those consumers said they plan to keep the subscription service they selected after the pandemic ends, the report states.
SUBTA annually produces a report on the e-commerce industry. The pandemic called for a special look, Chambers said.


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- Trading Name: CoinsPaid
- Legal Entity: Dream Finance OU
- Activities: crypto payment processor
- Location: Estonia
- Regulations: License No.: FVT000166
- Key People: Max Krupyshev (LinkedIn)
July 2023 the cryptocurrency platform Coinspaid has suffered an IT security incident in which the attackers captured 37.3 million US dollars. According to the platform’s own information, customers are not affected by the incident.


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· We’d pay, on average, £2,832 for 24 hours of undisturbed time with family and friends this Christmas
· The biggest gripe for six in ten Brits is people on their phones at the dinner table
· Nokia smartphones reminds us what’s really important this festive season, the gift of you
London, 22 December 2017: It’s official, ‘All they want for Christmas is you’ – stuck for a Christmas present idea this year? Running out of time? Don’t fret, as a new gift index reveals all the nation want this Christmas is the ‘gift of you’.
In the UK alone, the global research, conducted by HMD, the home of Nokia phones, reveals Brits would spend an average of £2,832 for 24 hours of undisturbed time with family and friends this Christmas.
Topping the UK gift index, almost a quarter of Brits (23%) cited they wanted quality time with their loved ones followed by money (15%), a bottle of good alcohol (5%), clothes (3%) and books (3%).
Despite this, and the fact Christmas is one of the few times of the year when everyone gets together, it seems that Brits are unable to put their phones away, especially over the festive lunch. Over a quarter (26%) admit to having their phones out at the dinner table, with the most popular reasons being taking photographs (63%).
The Nokia smartphones research, which polled 11,000 people across the globe, including 1000 British adults, also revealed:
· Over half of Brits (52%) think it’s rude to use the phone at the table
· Brits say people on their phones at the table is their biggest gripe (63%)
· Almost six in ten (58%) Brits would like their families to turn their phones off this Christmas
· One in five Brits (20%) wish they could switch off their phones guilt free
· Nearly a fifth (19%) never turn their phones off
This Christmas, Nokia smartphones has launched a bold new campaign called ‘be the gift’ – which encourages everyone to switch off their phones this festive season and spend quality time with their friends and family. The campaign also features a tongue in cheek ‘how to gift-wrap yourself guide’, showing how you can literally ‘be the gift’ for your loved ones.
In addition, the study also revealed the ways that mobile technology does help families who are not together at Christmas to stay in touch:
· Over a quarter (26%) of Brits are part of a family WhatsApp group
· A third of Brits (33%) said they would prefer to talk on the phone with family that they can’t be with during the festive season, above any other form of communication
Executive Vice President, Pekka Rantala, from HMD, the home of Nokia phones, says; “We bring the world closer together by uniting people with premium and affordable technology that is engineered for everyday life and built to last – just like relationships. This holiday season, we want to remind people, all people really want for Christmas is the gift of you.
“It’s rare for a phone company to say switch off, but we are taking a brave step and that declaring nothing, not even our own products, match the gift of a loved ones’ time. With almost one in five admitting they never turn off their phones, it’s time to say – give them a rest, turn off and truly value living in the moment.”
The Nokia phones ‘be the gift’ campaign can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
1,000 UK adults were surveyed by OnePoll, December 2017, 11,000 globally
Gift of quality time came top in 11 countries:
UK (23%), China (42%), Columbia (40%), France (27%), Germany (32%), Italy (28%), Mexico (40%), Poland (28%), Russia (43%), Sweden (30%), Finland (21%)
Notes to editors:
For further information, please contact firstname.lastname@example.org
Top 10 list of best gifts to receive this Christmas:
1. The gift of quality time with a loved one (undisturbed by their phone) (23%)
2. Money (15%)
3. Bottle of good alcohol (5%)
4. Clothes (3%)
5. Book (3%)
6. Watch (3%)
7. Expensive jewellery (3%)
8. Computer console (2%)
9. Gift vouchers for a restaurant (2%)
10. Spa vouchers (2%)
About HMD Global:
Headquartered in Espoo, Finland, HMD Global Oy is the new home of Nokia phones and tablets. HMD designs and markets a range of smartphones and feature phones targeted at a range of consumers and price points. With a commitment to innovation and quality, HMD is the proud exclusive licensee of the Nokia brand for mobile phones and tablets. For further information, seewww.hmdglobal.com.


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Clearly, the U.S. stone fabrication sector is on the rebound, and it has been for a couple of years. However, it appears that optimism in the industry is at a level that hasn’t been this high since before the recession.
A little more than 20 years ago, Lakeside Surfaces Inc. of Norton Shores, MI, began in the garage of owner Rob Riegler, and today the company is a fully integrated digital shop with the latest generation of technology in the marketplace
For aspiring fabricators, the story of Lakeside Surfaces Inc. of Norton Shores, MI, is a model of how to grow a business: start small, grow intelligently, ride out the tough times, and stay prepared for the future.
With two well-established companies — AGM Imports and Distinctive Granite and Marble — John Antunes has focused his efforts on providing other wholesalers and fabricators the opportunity to benefit from the latest technology in textured stone
A new record of professional visitors from 143 different nations was recorded at the 48th edition of Marmomacc, which took place from September 25 to 28 in the historic stoneworking center of Verona, Italy.
Earlier this year, on a picture-perfect sunny day in mid-June, my colleague Alex Bachrach and I had the opportunity to visit the quarries at Lyons Sandstone, in Lyons, CO, about an hour outside of Denver.
The Buster family doesn’t only produce and sell stone at Lyons Sandstone; they also serve as educators on the past, present and future of the material, which is a signature building stone for the state of Colorado


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Appfuel is aiming to make it easy for mobile app developers to manage the tradeoff between user growth and monetization.
Cross-promotion between apps is a big part of the ecosystem, but CEO Andrew Boos said Appfuel is unique because of its simplicity. Developers add a “suggested apps” unit to their own apps, and they can either grow their user base by getting a reciprocal recommendation in another app, or they can earn money by running sponsored suggestions — or rather, with Appfuel, they do a mix of both. To adjust the program, they just move a slider determining how much of their inventory goes towards recommendation swapping versus sponsored links, and Appfuel handles the rest of the optimization process.
“The only real decision a developer must make is what percentage goes to each,” Boos said. “We make the ‘grow vs dough’ decision easy.”
Appfuel also offers real-time analytics and a dashboard that allows developers to monitor all their apps in one place. And there’s a “focus” feature for launching a new app, so that all of the suggestions in all of a developer’s apps can promote the new product.
The startup said it’s already working with mobile game accelerator YetiZen and mobile games startup MakeGamesWith.Us. Starting today, it’s looking for sign-ups for its Founders’ Package, where developers can use Appfuel and keep 100 percent of the revenue (rather than giving a cut to the network) over the next 12 months. The goal, Boos said, is to work with about 20 to 30 apps initially, though Appfuel will be accepting more on an ongoing basis.
The startup has raised a “six-figure” amount of funding from advisors (who include Max Teitelbaum of WhatRunsWhere.com and Jivan Manhas MediaTrust and Internet Media Labs), grants, and accelerators (Chinaccelerator, Boost.vc).


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An Aberdeen shop that is a mecca for confectionery fans is preparing to reopen next week.
For over 12 years, Wowzie has been supplying the area’s sweet tooths with tasty treats, including fantastic offerings imported from around the world.
But, as was the case for many businesses, the St Andrews Street shop was forced to close its doors because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Owner Louise Dawson said: “We closed towards the end of March and we were in a bit of shock at first.
“But around four weeks ago, due to demand, we started our ‘lockdown stock’ online deliveries for customers who needed their sugar fix.”
She added: “It’s been a tough time but I have to take my hat off to the clientele for all the support we’ve had not just during lockdown, but for the past 12 years.”
And now Louise and the team are putting the finishing touches on Wowzie so they are ready to welcome customers back to the shop on Monday (June 29).
“We can’t wait to welcome our customers back to Wowzie.
“We have made some changes to how people visit the shop,” Louise explained. “For starters, only two customers will be allowed in at a time.
“We will be asking people to use the hand sanitiser station, located at the shop’s entrance, when they come in and again when they leave.
“There will also be a no mobile phone policy for the shop because we don’t want people sanitising their hands then touching their phone.”
And for staff, a new screen has been installed at the till and there will be a slight change to the layout of the shop and processes.
There will be no unwrapped sweets out in the open – there will be off the shelf options of everything available, but anyone who would like a specific order of cut fudge etc, should preorder by calling the shop on 01224 611600.
Wowzie, which features not only traditional and UK confectionery but items from the US, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden and other countries, prides itself on being the place to find that hard-to-get item.
“And if we don’t have it, we’ll try our best to get it for you,” Louise vowed.
They also do bespoke hampers and boxes, including corporate boxes for events. Wowzie has sweets suitable for all dietary requirements, including vegan and gluten-free.
The opening hours of the shop will be slightly altered to allow the Wowzie team to do daily deep cleans. The new opening hours will be noon to 5.30pm, Monday to Saturday.
Find out more at the Wowzie website, or pop in from noon on Monday.


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It’s hard to get a feel for a theme like LEGO Super Mario from still images alone. That’s because the Nintendo sets only really come alive when you play with them. Fortunately, you can already see next year’s Expansion Sets, Power-Up Packs and Character Packs in action in a new video.
The clip shows off some of the functions of the new sets, which introduce new enemies, challenges and even a new biome. All three new expansion packs include purple pieces for the Soda Jungle biome, which is a poisonous pathway that will provoke new reactions from the digital Mario figure.
“It wouldn’t be Super Mario if we weren’t constantly creating new worlds and adventures for everyone’s favourite Plumber,” said Simon Kent, Design Director and Creative Lead for LEGO Super Mario. “The LEGO Super Mario sets we released earlier this year have been extremely well-received by fans and we’re really excited to build on those with even more characters and experiences today.”
The LEGO Super Mario team announced seven new products today, including 71380 Master Your Adventure Maker Set, three new expansion packs, two new Power-Up Packs, and a second series of Character Packs. All the new sets will launch on January 1, 2021.
And, of course, they’ll all be compatible with this year’s first wave of LEGO Super Mario sets, which are available right now. You can support the work of Brick Fanatics by ordering them from LEGO.com using our affiliate links.


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THE level of sophistication achieved by this week’s drive, the all-new Nissan Qashqai, shows that ... [more]
Tuesday, 28 September 2021
A NEW tool to help drivers avoid falling victim to car thieves has been launched by Co-op Insurance.
Park Smart is an interactive webpage that makes use of data published by the Home Office at data.police.uk and can be accessed using a smartphone.
Users can search for vehicle crime hotspots by postcode or location to quickly identify a safe street, with results showing how many reports of vehicle thefts, thefts from a vehicle and vandalism there have been in the last six months.
Areas are colour-coded red, orange or yellow to make it easy to spot locations of concern.
Former car dealer turned TV consumer champion Dominic Littlewood is backing the new tool. He said: “Whether our cars are parked on the driveway or in an urban car park, they are vulnerable to car thieves who are becoming increasingly well organised.
“There are a number of really simple steps that car owners can take to make sure their vehicle doesn’t look so appealing — from turning your car wheels to face the kerb and investing in steering wheel locks.
“And don’t think it won’t happen to you — cheaper makes and models are becoming more attractive than ever to thieves.”
To use Park Smart, visit www.coop.co.uk/insurance/
SUMMER may be drawing to a close, but the joys of motorhoming and campervanning can be experienced ... [more]
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